Tom Pidcock Slams UCI’s Gear and Handlebar Rules, Calling for Focus on Real Safety Concerns

Tom Pidcock has spoken out against the UCI’s upcoming safety regulations, which aim to limit speeds by capping gear ratios and setting a minimum handlebar width.

Speaking at the Arctic Race of Norway, the British rider argued that the sport should be tackling more pressing issues instead.

The UCI is set to roll out several new technical rules in January 2026, including a maximum gear ratio of 54 x 11 allowing 10.46 metres of wheel travel per crank rotation along with changes to handlebar width limits, wheel depth, and fork and seatstay dimensions.

The gear cap will be tested in a stage race later in the 2025 season, but many in the cycling community remain unconvinced that it will have the intended effect of slowing races.

One of the strongest critics is Red Bull–Bora–Hansgrohe’s Head of Engineering, Dan Bigham, who recently presented a case titled How gear ratio limits will make cycling less safe at the Science and Cycling conference ahead of the Tour de France.

Pidcock agrees with Bigham’s concerns.

"Limiting gears will only make everything more dangerous," he told Marca. "If everyone is riding at the same top speed, the peloton will be packed more tightly, and on descents, that means we’ll be taking up more of the road. As for the handlebar width debate it feels like a distraction. We should be addressing the real safety problems."

The 26-year-old, currently racing in Norway as part of his build-up to the Vuelta a España with Q36.5, even joked about where such rules might lead.

"I told my brother that if we keep going this way, they’ll start limiting carbs and put us all into ketosis then the races will really slow down. We’re cyclists; the focus should be on more important matters."

This marks Pidcock’s first race in over a month, following his 10th-place finish at the Andorra MoraBanc Classic in late June.

He started his debut season with Q36.5 on a high winning two stages and the overall at the AlUla Tour, taking a stage at the Vuelta a Andalucía, and reaching the podium at Strade Bianche and La Flèche Wallonne.

His first Giro d’Italia was a tougher challenge, especially with the team’s wildcard confirmed only in late March.

Still, he secured three top-five finishes in his maiden Grand Tour. Now, his sights are set on La Vuelta, which begins in Turin on August 23.

"I feel fresh, and I think I can make big gains at La Vuelta," Pidcock said. "It would be great to get back to the form I had earlier in the season."